Long before there were clocks or electricity, people used sundials to keep track of time. Students can create their own sundials to learn more about the earth's orbit and how it effects the position of the sun in the sky at different times. Advanced sundials can also help students learn more about longitude and latitude and how these concepts affect the sun's position.

Common Materials

Students can make a sundial out of any flat object combined with any thin object that can stand up. The gnomon -- the part that juts out from the middle of the sundial and casts the shadow -- can be made from a straw, long nail, wooden dowel, a piece of cardboard or any other item that can be fastened to the sundial in an erect position. The surface of the sundial can be made from a paper plate, a piece of poster board, cardboard, wood or any other material that will lie flat. Students will also need something to fasten the two items together, such as tape or glue.

Constructing the Sundial

Students can start making the sundial by selecting the flat surface. If they want to be creative, they can choose special shapes for the sundial, like a triangle or square. The item selected for the gnomon can be inserted in the center of the surface, pointing straight up. For example, a nail can be hammered partially down in the center of a piece of wood. The gnomon does not have to be in the true center, so measurements are not required. Students who also want to explore longitude and latitude can create an angled gnomon. To do so, they will need to attach the gnomon at the same angle as their latitude. For example, if they are at 38 degrees latitude, the gnomon should be angled 38 degrees.

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Marking the Time

Finishing the sundial requires using a watch or clock to mark the time. Students should place their sundials on a flat area where it gets full sun for much of the day. The sundial can be mounted or not, but it must be flat and level. At the turn of each hour, students should go to the sundial and mark the time where the shadow falls. They can simply make a notch or write the actual number. Students should monitor the dial for the remainder of the daylight hours during the first day to mark the times. On the second day, students should monitor the dial starting in the morning and up to the time they started on the first day, to mark all daylight hours.

Testing for Accuracy

Students should test the accuracy of their sundial by randomly checking the time on a watch or clock against the notation on the dial and make adjustments as necessary to the dial. Those who chose to use a straight gnomon will only be able to use their sundial in that location. Students who chose the angled gnomon should be able to move the sundial o new locations and still get accurate readings.

References

Photo Credits

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About the Author

Maria Magher has been working as a professional writer since 2001. She has worked as an ESL teacher, a freshman composition teacher and an education reporter, writing for regional newspapers and online publications. She has written about parenting for Pampers and other websites. She has a Master's degree in English and creative writing.